Gortatlea Mart has announced that it will be closing and cancelling all scheduled sales in the interest of health and safety. The Kerry mart said it hoped farmers and members of the public understood.

The news comes off the back of both ICOS and the Mart Managers of Ireland announcing strict rules and guidelines for marts as fears over the spread of the coronavirus grow.

Cork Co-op Marts has also announced that due to restrictions it will not be running a sheep sale this Thursday. Instead it has a factory sheep assembly and is advising customers to call for details. It will still run calf and cattle sales on Wednesday.

It has also announced a new "drop and go" system. Sellers will remain in their vehicles and mart staff will unload stock so sellers can leave directly after unloading.

Sellers will only have access to auctioneers for their own lots and then be required to leave, while all buyers must ring ahead and pre-register with the mart.

It has also advised that there will be limited numbers.

Elphin mart

Elphin mart in Roscommon have put in place similar guidelines. Farmers have been told that animals have to be unloaded by a member of staff and sellers must remain in vehicles.

Everyone entering the mart must sign in and children are strictly prohibited.

GVM

Marts remain committed to continuing calf sales, as some farmers fear they could be left with a glut of spring calves.

GVM has suspended all sales apart from calf sales.

However, farmers should be aware that there are rules in place at marts, including hand sanitising and social distancing, and they should aim to observe those rules to ensure continued mart trade.

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